Throughout time, employees struggling with addiction and other mental health issues have been unfairly targeted and mistreated by employers. But as the discussion around these issues becomes more informed and industries understand it is not a sign of weakness or a moral flaw, employers, unions, and other work-based resources like EAPs are becoming more commonly available both in the U.S. and around the world. Aside from creating a supportive and nurturing workplace that bodes well to productivity, employers have a responsibility to provide services to those who are struggling with these issues.

Employee Assistance Programs

The rise of Employee Assistance Programs, or EAPs for short, has spread across federal, state, and local government jobs and is now more commonly available in the private sector. Although they’re not new in concept, modern EAPs are now more focused on employees’ health and mental wellbeing than ever before, and they’ve come a long way from simply sending a worker to a quick psychological assessment before bringing them back into the field.

In addition to the family and workplace counseling they’re often known to provide, EAPs sometimes cover short-term and outpatient treatment for issues ranging from substance abuse and addiction to anxiety and trauma. Although their roles are still technically to assist in resolving issues that are affecting the employees’ ability to work, they’ve come a long way from the days in which employers believed that their workers would be able to leave their “personal issues” at home.

Many EAPs help organize health fairs, implement wellness programs to improve employee self-care, and educate their employees about their rights through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Family Medical Leave of Absence (FMLA). The management of EAPs varies from business to business, but many EAP professionals are Licensed Clinical Social Workers or have a background in counseling. Their experience and primary role make them a valuable resource for anyone struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues.

Unions

In addition to EAPs, some of the largest proponents of improved mental health and appropriate treatment for the workforce have been labor unions. Seeing as it is within their realm of responsibility to take care of their members, unions have started to make a shift from sweeping these issues under the rug to bringing them to the forefront. Like the EAPs, many unions now have drug and alcohol programs, and many even offer peer advocacy programs to educate their members about common addiction and mental health issues along with helping to identify and find appropriate treatment.

In the Long Beach area, for example, the ILWU-PMA offers the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Program, or ADRP. The ADRP provides its members with counseling and resources to help them find treatment and support them throughout the recovery process. ILWU members, many of whom find themselves injured in the workplace and develop a dependence on prescription pills, or are struggling with other issues, have found the ADRP program to be extremely supportive and beneficial for them as they go through treatment.

Outside Support

At Roots Through Recovery, we understand the challenges that addiction and mental health issues can create in one’s life, both personally and professionally. That’s why one of our goals is to help people get their lives back on track, regardless of what their journey has been thus far. We regularly work with EAPs and unions to help them provide better care for their employees, and we are encouraged by the current trend of incorporating more whole-person wellness programs in the workplace.

Although not every employer or industry is required to offer coverage for substance abuse and other mental health issues, it can certainly be worth investigating what options and benefits are available to you should you decide to explore support beyond what is offered by your employer.

If you’re one of the million-plus people who get their Health Net insurance through Covered California, then you’ve hopefully just recently enrolled in coverage for the new year. Whether it’s your first time with subsidized healthcare or you’re a seasoned veteran, every year can bring new complications and changes to what you may have thought you understood. Thankfully, we’ve put together this quick checklist of steps to demystify your new Health Net insurance plan.

Check your new provider and plan

Just because you picked up Health Net insurance through the same portal doesn’t mean you have the same insurance coverage you did in previous years. Even if you were pretty thorough when looking at what you were choosing initially, you probably still want to actually check which insurance provider you now have and what’s covered under your current Health Net plan. Networks change for providers all the time — for instance, Roots Through Recovery is now in Health Net’s network — so you may have some new possibilities even if your provider hasn’t changed.

Look into new options

No matter if you’re looking at a brand new insurance plan or just a shift in the same one you’ve always had, there may be new medical providers and options for you that you weren’t aware of. Whether it’s simply finding a new doctor, accessing your substance abuse or mental health benefits, or looking into a whole different approach to your health, many insurance providers offer a wide and constantly changing variety of choices. If you’re not looking for a particular treatment right now, you may as well see what options you have available to you all year.

Understand the financial requirements

Beyond the amount you pay for the insurance each month, different plans have different out-of-pocket costs when actually seeking medical and behavioral health treatment. From co-pays to prescriptions to specialty services, just having health insurance doesn’t necessarily make your healthcare free. As a general rule of thumb, checking with the doctor, facility, or service provider can get you pretty close to the exact cost that’ll be incurred for various treatments — and they can also sometimes help you work with certain financial restrictions.

Keep track of your income changes

Although getting a new job and making significantly more money can drive your health insurance costs up through Covered California, misreporting or incorrectly estimating your income can also lead you to pay more than you should be. The point of Covered California is to make sure people pay an appropriate amount for health insurance, so keeping your income and tax situation up to date ensures that you don’t overpay if you lose your job or go through other dramatic life changes.

Schedule introductory consultations

Getting signed up for health insurance is the first step in making sure you’re all covered for the year. Before you actually need to seek treatment for the first time, you’ll need to figure out which in-network providers are the best for you. The easiest way to do this is simply by calling and scheduling consultations and introductory sessions with each provider you think you’ll need over the course of the year. Whether that means getting in contact with a facility like Roots Through Recovery or simply getting a check-up to add yourself to your new primary care physician’s patient list, getting in with the appropriate services and providers is ultimately the real reason to purchase healthcare.

Will I lose my job if my employer finds out about my current or past substance use or mental health disorder?

How will I get the time off of work to go to treatment?
Am I protected if my company discriminates against me for being in treatment or recovery?

These are probably the most common questions we get asked when someone calls for treatment for themselves or a loved one. These concerns can create unmanageable and unnecessary fear if one is not aware of how you or your loved one is protected by state and federal laws. First and foremost, if you are coping with a substance use disorder and are employed, you are not alone.

70% of the estimated 14.8 million Americans who use illegal drugs are employed.

Workers who report having three or more jobs in the previous five years are about twice as likely to be current or past year users of illegal drugs as those who have had two or fewer jobs.

Large federal surveys show that 24% of workers report drinking during the workday at least once in the past year.

A hospital emergency department study showed that 35 percent of patients with an occupational injury were at-risk drinkers.

Fear of what might happen at work can often push people into the shadows and prevent workers from seeking help. The reality is that not seeking treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction is more detrimental to one’s health and can lead to more damaging effects in the workplace. Fear of discrimination should never be a deterrent for seeking treatment when considering the levity of the situation, which is often life or death. Understanding that mental health and substance use disorders as debilitating to daily functioning, protections and federal laws are in place to ensure you or your loved one are extended the same liberties as someone suffering from a heart disorder or cancer.

The Four Protections in Place

Federal civil rights laws prohibit discrimination in many areas of life against qualified “individuals with disabilities.” Many people with past and current alcohol problems and past drug use disorders, including those in treatment for these illnesses, are protected from discrimination by:

Non-discrimination laws protect individuals with a “disability.” Under these Federal laws, an individual with a “disability” is someone who –

has a current “physical or mental impairment” that “substantially limits” one or more of that person’s “major life activities,” such as caring for one’s self, working, etc.;

has a record of such a substantially limiting impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment.

Whether a particular person has a “disability” is decided on an individualized, case-by-case basis. Substance use disorders (addiction) are recognized as impairments that can and do, for many individuals, substantially limit the individual’s major life activities. For this reason, many courts have found that individuals experiencing or who are in recovery from these conditions are individuals with a “disability” protected by Federal law. To be protected as an individual with a “disability” under Federal non-discrimination laws, a person must show that his or her addiction substantially limits (or limited, in the past) major life activities (SAMHSA)

Leaving work to Get Treatment

California law provides stronger protections to employees who suffer from alcoholism and drug addiction than the federal law does. One legal site reports, “Alcoholism and drug addiction are medically recognized diseases that affect millions of Americans, and under both California and federal law, they are considered disabilities. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to permit affected employees to seek treatment and are prohibited from discriminating against employees because of alcoholism or drug addiction.

While employers are free to terminate and can refuse to hire anyone whose alcohol or drug use impairs their ability to perform the duties of their job, employers cannot fire or take other negative employment actions against an employee because of their status as an alcoholic or drug addict. California and federal laws recognize alcoholism, and to a lesser extent, drug addiction, as a disability and many employers are required to to provide reasonable accommodations – usually time off to seek treatment – to employees who seek help”.

The following California Labor Codes can be used as a reference:

California employers who employ more than 25 people are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees who wish to participate in an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program. Typically, this means that the employer must allow the employee to take leave or time off to participate in the program. The accommodation must be provided unless it would cause an undue hardship for the employer. Cal. Labor Code § 1025.

Employers must also make reasonable efforts to preserve the employee’s privacy concerning his or her participation in an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program. Cal. Labor Code § 1026.

While employers are not required to provide paid time off for employees to seek treatment, employees may use any paid sick leave time they have accumulated to attend a rehab program. Cal. Labor Code § 1027.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Employee Assistance Programs or EAPs are “workplace-based programs designed to address substance use and other problems that negatively affect employees’ well-being or job performance” (Merrick et al., 2007). The vast majority of workplaces with 100 or more employees and almost all of Fortune 500 firms (90%) have an Employee Assistance Program. A journal published by Dr. Elizabeth S. Levy Merrick reported that, “Most contemporary EAPs are ‘broad-brush’ programs that address a wide spectrum of substance use, mental health, work-life balance, and other issues. In some cases, short-term counseling is sufficient to address a client’s needs. In others, the client is assessed, referred to behavioral health treatment outside the EAP, and provided follow-up support as needed”.

The director of your EAP may recommend a treatment program where they have a relationship or one they’ve heard about, but remember that you have the option to go anywhere you choose. Depending on your insurance coverage, treatment through Roots through Recovery may be covered in full or at least in part once your deductible and out-of-pocket are met. If your employer does not have an EAP, speak to your company’s human resources representative, and remember that you are protected from discrimination.

What if I’ve been discriminated against?

Attorney Brook Pollard of the firm TLD Law in Long Beach, CA offers the following:

“Discrimination or harassment against a disabled person, failure to accommodate a disability and/or retaliation against someone for requesting an accommodation, are against the law. If you believe you are a victim of unlawful action (or inaction), you can file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment & Housing or the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. You should also promptly consult private legal counsel to discuss your rights and obligations (such as ensuring that applicable Statutes of Limitation are met). Make sure you have journaled dates, times and the content of all conversations and events so that when you present your claim, you have all material information at your fingertips.

TLD Law has employment attorneys that can assist both companies and individuals to navigate these important matters. Check out their website to find an attorney to assist you: www.tldlaw.com“

I think all along we should have been singing love songs to them, because the opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection. –Johann Hari

In Johann Hari’s landmark TED Talk in June 2015, titled “Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong”, he explains the psychology behind addiction and how the criminalization of and stigma of the addicted person actually produce the opposite of the intended outcome. Saying “drugs are bad” and that they are addictive does nothing to address the issue of why people begin using drugs in the first place, such as to self-medicate or numb the unpleasant feelings brought on by past trauma, as we wrote about in an earlier blog. Hari says, essentially and quite simply, everything we’ve been doing to get people to stop using drugs has been wrong! And by the way, he didn’t arrive at this conclusion by chance or do it on his own; in fact, he had quite a bit of help from friends, scientists and the country of Portugal.

Hari first began to delve into this topic the way many of us have: because our lives have been touched by addiction, either we have experienced an addiction ourselves or someone close to us has. The fascinating thing about addiction is that the common societal attitude toward addiction is largely based on decades old research that has since been debunked, and yet, we continue to think that these two things are the key: 1. Drugs are addictive, and 2. People will stop using drugs if we punish them. The research, including that of Dr. Alexander referenced by Hari, shows that these two points are inherently wrong. Dr. Alexander’s famous “Rat Park” study tells us something different about addiction. Here is an excerpt from Hari’s TED Talk:

You get a rat and you put it in a cage, and you give it two water bottles: One is just water, and the other is water laced with either heroin or cocaine. If you do that, the rat will almost always prefer the drug water and almost always kill itself quite quickly. So there you go, right? That’s how we think it works.

In the ’70s, Professor Alexander comes along and he looks at this experiment and he noticed something. He said ah, we’re putting the rat in an empty cage. It’s got nothing to do except use these drugs. Let’s try something different. So Professor Alexander built a cage that he called “Rat Park,” which is basically heaven for rats. They’ve got loads of cheese, they’ve got loads of colored balls, they’ve got loads of tunnels. Crucially, they’ve got loads of friends. They can have loads of sex.

And they’ve got both the water bottles, the normal water and the drugged water. But here’s the fascinating thing: In Rat Park, they don’t like the drug water. They almost never use it. None of them ever use it compulsively. None of them ever overdose. You go from almost 100 percent overdose when they’re isolated to zero percent overdose when they have happy and connected lives.

Hari isn’t saying that the environment is necessarily to blame, either, but rather that connecting with a drug addicted person is far more effective than punishing them, and maybe it is the cage. Hari questioned the relationship between these rats and their park, and thought, maybe it’s only with rats. But then he considers what happened with human beings, young American service men in the Vietnam War, over forty years ago.

“In Vietnam, 20 percent of all American troops were using loads of heroin, and if you look at the news reports from the time, they were really worried, because they thought, my God, we’re going to have hundreds of thousands of junkies on the streets of the United States when the war ends; it made total sense”. The Archive of General Psychiatry followed these soldiers home and conducted a detailed study, and what actually happened to these soldiers shocked scientists and doctors who studied addiction. Hari goes on, “It turns out they didn’t go to rehab. They didn’t go into withdrawal. Ninety-five percent of them just stopped. Now, if you believe the story about chemical hooks, that makes absolutely no sense, but Professor Alexander began to think there might be a different story about addiction. He said, what if addiction isn’t about your chemical hooks? What if addiction is about your cage? What if addiction is an adaptation to your environment?”

We’ve seen time and time again in countries with harsh drug policy and limited views of addiction, including the United States, shaming and criminalizing drug use—throwing addicts into the criminal justice system—does nothing positive for the addicted individual. When a heroin addict is arrested for possession and spends time in jail, she comes out with a record, thereby making it even more difficult for her to get a job and secure housing, further limiting her connections, isolating and traumatizing her, and creating a void that can seemingly only be filled with substance use. So what if, instead of beating people down, we built them up? What if we loved them unconditionally, and take all the money we spend on cutting addicts off, on disconnecting them, and spend it on reconnecting them with society? That’s what Portugal’s national drug coordinator, Dr. João Goulão, asked himself.

In the year 2000, Portugal had one of the worst drug problems in the world, with one percent of its population addicted to heroin—an incredibly mind-blowing statistic. They had tried the American way of waging war on drugs, which is essentially a war on drug addicts, and found that what we know to be true here was true for them: it does not work, and it was getting worse every year. Fifteen years ago, Dr. João Goulão and a panel of experts sat together to address the problem, and considered all the research, and the country of Portugal did something monumental, something daring and seemingly crazy: they decriminalized ALL drugs. With their drug problem reaching unmatched heights at that point, Portugal’s decision had the whole world watching.

We know what happened, or didn’t happen rather: More people did not start using drugs. More people didn’t die from drug overdoses. What everyone thought was going to happen, didn’t happen. Drug use went down. WAY DOWN. Portugal went from having one of the worst heroin epidemics in the world in 2000 to being among the countries with the lowest prevalence of use for most substances in 2012. These were the results:
Fewer people arrested and incarcerated for drugs.The number of people arrested and sent to criminal courts for drug offenses declined by more than 60 percent since decriminalization.

The percentage of people in Portugal’s prison system for drug law violations also decreased dramatically, from 44 percent in 1999 to 24 percent in 2013.

More people receiving drug treatment.Between 1998 and 2011, the number of people in drug treatment increased by more than 60 percent (from approximately 23,600 to roughly 38,000). Treatment is voluntary – making Portugal’s high rates of uptake even more impressive.

Over 70 percent of those who seek treatment receive opioid-substitution therapy, the most effective treatment for opioid dependence

Reduced drug-induced deaths.The number of deaths caused by drug overdose decreased from about 80 in 2001 to just 16 in 2012.

Reduced social costs of drug misuse.A 2015 study found that, since the adoption of the new Portuguese national drugs strategy, which paved the way for decriminalization, the per capita social cost of drug misuse decreased by 18 percent

In 2013, Nuno Capaz of the Lisbon Dissuasion Commission said, “We came to the conclusion that the criminal system was not best suited to deal with this situation… The best option should be referring them to treatment… We do not force or coerce anyone. If they are willing to go by themselves, it’s because they actually want to, so the success rate is really high… We can surely say that decriminalization does not increase drug usage, and that decriminalization does not mean legalizing… It’s still illegal to use drugs in Portugal — it’s just not considered a crime. It’s possible to deal with drug users outside the criminal system.”

So why is it so hard for people to accept the outcomes of these studies? For one, government campaigns have ingrained anti-drug slogans in our brains since elementary school, so these findings are contrary to our belief system, characterized by Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign. Since the war on drugs began with President Nixon in the 70s, immortalized by the first lady in 80s, and continued by the first President Bush, we have been engaged in a war against people affected by drug addiction. Four decades of throwing people struggling with addiction into prison, stripping people of their coping mechanisms, and offering them nothing in return except a criminal history. Secondly, if the drugs and the individual aren’t to blame, then who is? It is our responsibility as a society to help those suffering from addiction; to create a paradise for them, lend our unconditional support and sing them songs of love.

With no end to the war on drugs in sight, there are still things we can do to shift the tide and create a culture of love and support for the drug addicted person:

Stop treating the addicted person as a criminal. More than half of us have been touched in some way by addiction, and many of us know someone who is struggling with addiction today. Shifting the way we look at and treat people with addiction is the first step. They are not criminals or deviants. They are not even addicts. They are human beings—our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, neighbors, peers, colleagues and co-workers—who are coping with an illness.

Support people in their addiction. Whether you’re a treatment provider, family member, employer or advocate, we all have a role in ensuring people who need treatment get the care they need and deserve. As we learn from Portugal, forcing people into treatment often results in high cost and poor outcomes. When someone is ready for treatment, is willing and engaged in their recovery, we see the greatest outcomes and people can begin their life free of substances.

Connect with people. Showing someone struggling with addiction that you aren’t going to turn your back on them and that you care about their recovery is the most important thing you can do. Instinctively, we want to let our loved ones “hit rock bottom” or show them how their addiction has affected us by shutting them out, but we know this does not help. Just like the rats in “Rat Park”, your love might be the thing that makes this person say maybe I don’t want the drug-laced water.